| This bus used to be my pride and joy. It was a 1977 Gillig 855DT-16 equipped with a Cummins NHH250 and a Fuller Roadranger RT910 ten-speed transmission. The mileage at date-of-purchase read just over 500,000 (the original speedometer had broken some time ago, so the true mileage is unknown), and it was purchased at a cost of $110,000. This bus did have an identical twin, fleet number 19, and its serial number was E3828, and this bus' serial number was E3829. The bus was purchased in August 1998 at the cost of $475 with the intentions of totally restoring it, and then taking it to parades, truck and car shows, and at school bus operator roadeos. The work done on the bus included a new coat of paint on the front and rear body panels, new clearance lights on the front end, new upholstery on the seats, and re-chromed and painted emblems. I ended up ditching the restoration project due to financial issues, and the bus was given away in 2002. These photos were taken just shortly after I purchased it and repainted the front body wall. (All photos by Steven Rosenow) Right-front one-quarter view (with doors opened outward) Right-rear one-quarter view (covered in snow after a severe snowstorm) Inside view (from just behind the front row of seats) Dashboard view (from driver's perspective) Dashboard view (from passenger perspective - standing up) Data plate (recreated facsimile - created from reference based off of real-world counterpart) |
| NEW PHOTOS, UPDATE ON #25 STATUS |
| On June 11th, 2006, I was informed that #25 was still very much alive. Through exhaustive research going back nearly two months following rumors that it was towed out of where I was storing it, I had finally located it. It was sitting at Shelton Auto Parts in Shelton, Washington. The owners there knew part of the story behind it, and I had informed them of my intentions with the bus as I was restoring it then. Later research found that I could buy the bus back to restart the restoration work, and a collective decision was made to reacquire the bus for a fee. The bus has been sitting for about four years with no major body care and maintenance, and as a result, the following photos will show a bus that looks nothing like the previous batch of photos. There is also some rear end damage that occurred as a result of the tow. These photos were photographed on June 16, 2006 at Shelton Auto Parts. Typically, Shelton Auto Parts does not allow photography in their lot, and as a result, I am greatly appreciative of them for making this special exception. (All photos by Steven Rosenow) Right front view Left-side semi profile Right rear view showing the damage Interior view of driver's compartment. Closeup of rear-end damage Model number placard below where front emblem once existed Right front closeup Shot of #25 numbering - closeup. Stepwell shot #1 Stepwell shot #2 Main ID placard (see above; this one is the real deal Secondary ID placard (above side driver's window) Stepwell shot #3 Instrument panel view Eaton Fuller RT910 ten-speed transmission shift pattern plate |
| NEW PHOTOS, UPDATE ON #25 STATUS #2 |
| I've found out on August 7, 2006 that E3829 is no longer. Before the GilligCoaches.NET web team could make a purchase on it, Shelton Auto Parts destroyed #25, and hauled it off to a scrap metal recycler. One of only a handful of tandem-axle Gilligs left in existance, August 6, 2006 is indeed a sad day in Gillig transit coach history. |
| 1977 GILLIG 855DT-16 Rest In Peace |
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| My former Gillig |
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